The Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) is for young Indigenous adults that want to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF) but who may be challenged by reading and writing, fitness or are just not sure if the ADF is for them.

The DIDP is a five month residential course that focuses on five key areas:

Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN);

Military skills, including weapon training;

Physical fitness;

Vocational Education and Training (VET); and

Cultural appreciation.

By the end of the course you will have the skills, knowledge and attitude to apply for full time careers in the Australian Defence Force. What’s more, we’ll pay you for everyday you’re on the course.

If you decide that the ADF is not for you, then you can return to your community, where your new skills and increased pride and confidence will make you a role model in your communities.

Candidates will be selected on their attitude, their interest in joining the ADF and maturity. A selection course will be held each year where potential candidates are given a number of activities and challenges where their attitude and potential will be assessed.

Interested? Give us a call on call 1800 447 827 or email indigenous.affairs@defence.gov.au and we’ll send you an application pack. You’ll need to make sure you meet the following criteria:

You’re over 18;

You’re prepared to live in the Northern Territory or North Queensland for the duration of the course; and

We run two types of study tours, one for people that want to become Officers and one for people that want to learn a trade. Depending on what type of career you’re interested in will determine what type of study tour you will go on.

If you are interested in becoming an Navy, Army or Air Force Officer then you will come on the Officer candidate study tour. This tour includes visits to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), the Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC), an Australian War Memorial tour and a Defence Force Recruiting briefing. Staff and recruits from both ADFA and RMC will present to the tour.

If you prefer working with your hands to being on a computer then you might be interested in the many trade based careers on offer. The Trade Study Tour will take you to the ADF trade schools located at Albury in Victoria and WaggaWagga in New South Wales where you’ll get first hand exposure to the type of the trades and training the ADF offers.